IT’S IN THE region of 50 weeks since Eimear Considine played a competitive match.
She’s hungry for another run, but more than a year will have elapsed before she collects another Ireland cap.
Her team-mates in the Ireland Women’s setup have played one match against Italy in that time. Considine, a teacher by trade, recorded an inconclusive Covid test and missed out on the win.
When the caseload around the country was low, the Women’s AIL was a competitive outlet for Irish players in the rungs below the national team. For the elite players, it was felt intensive training camps would be more beneficial. Of course, that decision was also informed by a belief there would be two Six Nations matches and a World Cup qualifying tournament before the close of 2020.
There have been positive noises about those training camps throughout, but now that a revised Six Nations has been penciled in for April, Considine says the intensity has already been ratcheted up.
“It’s great the finally have dates in the calendar and have something to train for,” Considine said as she helped launch the Aviva Mini Rugby Virtual Skills Hub.
“It’s a long season just training. I think we have 18 or 19 camps with no season in mind so it’s pretty tough to stay motivated. Even this weekend, having the fixtures announced, there’s such a bite among the team and there’s so much more competition when there’s jerseys up for grabs. It really does change everything. It was great to be back in.
“Obviously, the format is different – we’re happy to get games played. Let’s just hope that it is something that’s just this year because of Covid.”
The new format splits the Six Nations into two pools leaving each side with just three fixtures. France are the apex predator on Ireland’s side of the draw. England remain on a higher echelon compared to European rivals, but Considine feels Ireland have made the strides needed to seriously challenge Les Bleus.
Bridging the gap to England and the game’s very best sides is a far longer-term project. For Considine, the task will boil down to numbers, clubs and time on the field.
“They’ve played more games in the last year in England than I’ve played in the last three years. Because of their club system and getting the practice of playing games, week in, week out, even through Covid.”
Whenever normality can resume, the IRFU will hope to keep participation levels on the rise at grassroots level through the many clubs who don’t currently have a presence in the AIL. The Ireland back points out that the geographical spread of clubs at what we might call the middle tier in this country – five AIL clubs in Leinster, two each in Ulster and Munster and then Galwegians – provides the hurdle of distance for players from anywhere bar the main population centres.
“So if someone in west Clare wants to play AIL, it’s an hour and a half to training (at UL). If someone in Cork wants to play, what if Ballincollig isn’t close? There aren’t enough AIL clubs around the country for the system to be good enough.”
Eimear Considine was speaking at the launch of the Aviva Mini Rugby Virtual Skills Hub, which will take place over next week’s mid-term break. Families and clubs across Ireland are invited to sign up at www.aviva.ie/safetodreamteam.
COYBIB
Such a joy to watch ulster this week compared to Munster. So much variety in their play. Mathewson sniping, passing, kicking. Forwards carrying with impact but also offloading when appropriate. Much more effective. Hume and McCloskey look great in the centre.
Let’s go Leinster!! Big day out for Ringrose
@gabs90: ya, biggest day of his career
Leinster lineouts are keeping Ulster in the game
Looking forward to a good game and hopefully no injuries for both sides for next week. . Super selection from Leinster and what a bench. Leinster by 10+ for me.
Leinster will win
I see Van Der Flier is Liam Tolands man crush this week
He’s a gas man. Giving Stockdale grief for crawling with the ball. But sure it was perfectly fine when a Leinster player did it to score against Munster.
Half time and the leinster lineout is easily the worst in professional rugby.
@Chris Mc: I think we need to end the hype that’s been surrounding Kelleher right now. Cronin is a better lineout thrower and that’s saying something!
@David Finn: his throwing is pants but he’s a massive present arround the pitch
@Chris Mc: yeah good around the pitch but on that performance about Irish no 4. He needs time.
@Trevor Johnston: the leinster lineout has been too complicated for a good few seasons now. Far too many moving parts. Most of the balls lost yesterday came without any real presure from Ulster, lifters missed the jumper, some times the jumper didn’t even jump. A lineout should be very simple, your jumper gets into the air before theirs or get higher than theirs. Your hooker throws the ball to the big guy been lifted by 2 other big guys. All the dummies, moving arround and decoys just allows the line to close and the lifters to be obstructed or miss their position or timing.
Game on great try
It’s good to see Ulster taking a leaf out of the Leinster playbook. Holding opposition players in nearly every ruck and starting to milk some penalties.
Another trophy the invincibles
Leinster Congratulations
People effuse about this morphing Leinster game plan, kicking on their terms and their love for defending but Ulster have been playing the better rugby for the majority of the game. I know Leinster are still winning but as a Leinster fan I expected a good bit more from Leinster tonight in preparation for Saracens. Doris has been quiet, Conan was petulant in the first half and it is not a day for Kelleher at line-out time. There have been moments when Leinster have shown good running rugby but the last phase fizzles out with an attacking penalty or picking the wrong option. We’ll need a better performance against Saracens, even without Farrell and Mako.
@Dan Finlay: and moments after posting Doris goes and scores.
@Dan Finlay: Conan coughed up three penalties. Can not afford that against saracens.
Atrocious lineout from Leinster.
Great response.
Brilliant try.
Great try! Very well worked. Come on ulster!
Would be grand if Brace actually reffed Leinster. Let’s them away with murder at the breakdown
@Andrew Taz Donohoe: fussy but fair
Here he comes. The Boss.
Great try …..game over ..joking
Anyone know if tg4 are showing this live or is it just discussions about the game starting at that time and the kick off being shown later on?
@Rudiger McMonihan: I’m pretty sure it’s live
Ulster happy to be in final, same as Heineken cup a few years back they failed to throw a punch… embarrassing
@Nathan Fulham: you can only play as well as you are allowed. Leinster in total control.
SUFTUM
Terrible commentators